Bag closing and fastening mechanism



G. LONG 2,138,1

BAG CLOSING AND FASTENING MECHANISM Filed April 9, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet lNov. 29, 1938.

NOV. 29, 1938. G LONG BAG CLOSING AND FASTENING MECHANISM Filed April 9,1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 29, 1938.

BAG`\CLOSING AND FASTENING MECHANISM Filed April `9, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet3 G. LONG 2,138,111

Nov. 29, 1938. G- LQNG BAG lCLOSING AND FASTENING MECHANISM Filed April9', 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 29, 1938. G. LONG BAG CLOSING ANDFASTENI'NG MEcHANzsM File- April 9, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Nov.29, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE George Long, Joliet, Ill.,assi'gnor to Franklin Steel Works, Joliet, Ill.,` a. corporation otMaine Application April 9, 1937, Serial No. 135,826

30 Claims.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in bag closing andfastening machines and has 4particular reference to mechanism forfastening the folded portion of a filled bag by means of a tin-tiestrip.

The structure of the invention has application to bag closing/machinesof the semi-automatic type and also to fully automatic machines forfilling and closing bags such as shown in the application of George Longand Elwell B. Larsen, Serial No. 87,972, led June 29, 1936.

Machines of the above identified type employ conveyor mechanism forintermittently moving bags from station to station through a pluralityof stations comprising the machine. In the semi-automatic machine theillled'bag is first gauged as to height'to bring the contents of the bagto a predetermined level. At subsequent stations the open end of thebagis collapsed, folded and then the folded portion is releasably fastenedto the bag by tin-tie fastening means. The structure of the invention isadapted to accomplish this last operation in a new and improved manner.More particularly, the novel structure of the invention is characterizedby means which lift the bag and hold the same at an angle so that thefolded portion will assume a horizontal position and by membersoperating conjointly with said means for bending the projecting ends ofthe tin-tie strip to form the fastening elements described.

A more specific object of the present invention resides in the provisionof improved mechanism for the purposes described, which willintermittently feed acontinuous length of tintie tape to locate theforward leading end of the same over the folded portion of a filled bagand which will thereafter cut the tape to form individual tin-tiefastening strips, the cutting operation providing fastening strips of alengthgreater than that of the bag so that the projecting ends thereofmay be subsequently bent around the folded portion of the bag, thussecurely fastening the folded portion and preventing it from becomingunfolded.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of bag closingand fastening mechanism having novel structure for feeding continuoustin-tie tape and which will automatically cut said tape into individualfastening strips after the same has been properly associated with thefolded portion of a filled bag. In accordance with the invention thecontinuous tape has a width of paper secured thereto which is blankedout at intervals-forming paper tabs between the blanked out portions, atab being centrally disposed with respect to each tin-tie fasteningstrip above described, and each tab being adhesively secured to the topof the bag as the last operation in the closing and fastening thereof.

Another lobjectresides in the provision of mechanism for the purposesdescribed which will operate in sequence to apply a tin-tie strip overthe folded portion of a filled bag, to bend the ends of said striparound the folded portion of said bag to fasten the same in securefolded relation, and to adhesively secure the tab associated with thetin-tie strip to the top of the bag. This last operation of adhesivelysecuring the paper tab to the bag results in making the tin-tie strip apart of the bag so thatthe strip is retained to the bag even though thebent ends are subsequently released from their fastening relation inorder to permit removal of the conto the folded portion of a filled bagand means operating conjointlytherewith for bending the projecting ends4of said strip to form releasable fastening means holding the foldedportion to the top of the bag, which will be comparatively simple in itsconstruction and arrangement, strong and durable, and which will bethoroughly eilicient in use, automatic in operation and relativelyinexpensive to manufacture. With these and various other objects in Viewthe invention may consist of certain novel features of construction andoperation, as will be. more fully described andparticularly pointed outin the specification, drawings and claims appended hereto.

.In the drawings which illustrate an embodiy ment of the device andwherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts-Figure uil; is a front elevational-view of apparatus embodying thefeatures of the present invention forv releasably securing the foldedportion of a lled bag by means of a tin-tie strip; Figure 2 is afragmentary perspective view showing the cutting mechanism lobated atthe 65 end of the guide members for severing the continuous tape;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the mechanism of Figure 1 lookingin a direction toward the right;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional View taken substantially along line 4 4of Figure 1 and showing the `cutting knife and associated structure forcutting out portions of the paper strip forming part of the continuoustape;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view similar to Figure 3 but showing theparts in a different position of operation wherein the folded portion ofthe bag is substantially horizontally disposed;

Figure 6 is a detail side elevational View showing the oscillatingmember and actuating mechanism therefor for intermittently feeding thecontinuous tape;

Figure '1 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 11 of Figure 6;

- Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line8 8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the cutting knife and associated structureshown in Figure 4 for cutting out portions of the paper strip formingpart of the continuous tape;

Figure 10 is a detail sectional View illustrating the construction andoperation of the gripping members for gripping and bending the foldedportion of the bag;

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line II I I of Figure 10;

Figure l2 is a horizontal detail view taken substantially along line I2I2 of Figure 10 Figure 13 is an elevational view', parts being shown insection, of the fingers for bending the ends of the tin-tie strip andshowing the position said ngers assume at the end of a bendingoperation;

Figure 14 is a perspective View illustrating the angle of inclination ofthe lled bag when said bending fingers begin operation;

Figure 15 is a perspective View showing the completed bag having theupper portion thereof releasably fastened by a tin-tie strip that hasbeen applied and secured thereto in accordance with the presentinvention; and

Fig. 16 is a detail View showing mechanism for pressing the tin-tie tapeagainst the bag top.

Figure 17 is a plan view showing the ccntinuous tape and the manner ofcutting out portions from the paper strip to form the individual tin-tiestrips.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figures l and 3, the structureof the invention is adapted to perform the last operation in the closingand fastening of a filled ba'g when said fastening is accomplished by atin-tie strip and accordingly it will be understood that a completemachine, for example, of the semi-automatic type, will include means forgauging the height of the filled bag to bring the contents thereof to apredetermined level, means for collapsing the open end of the bag, andmeans for folding said collapsed end to form a folded portion which willproject vertically from the top of the bag. Following the last foldingoperation the bag is then presented to the apparatus of the presentinvention, which preferably depends from an overhead member identifiedby numeral I0 supported from a plurality of uprights such as II. Securedto the underside of the supporting member I0 are a plurality of bracketsI2, I3 and I4, which brackets form means for journalling shafts to bepresently described. Actuated by said shafts are instrumentalities ofnovel construction which perform the necessary operations to apply atin-tie to the folded portion of the bag and bend the ends of the sameinto fastening position.

The guide I5, providing upper and lower mem bers I6 and I1,respectively, having the groove I8 therebetween, is suitably supportedfrom the overhead support I0 by the screw member I9. The continuous tape20, Figure 17, Comprising the metal strip 2I and the paper strip 22secured thereto is adapted to fit within the groove I8 of the guide I5.Said tape prior to entering the groove may pass through straighteningrollers 23, it being understood that said tape will most likely besupplied in the form of a large roll and therefore said straighteningrollers will have the effect of substantially eliminating the curvaturewhich would otherwise exist in the tape. The metal strip 2I of the tapeis located in the base of the groove, as clearly shown in Figure 4,which thus makes possible the cutting out of portions of the paper strip22 to form tabs 24. Cutting of the paper strip is effected by therectangular knife member 25 pivotally supported at 26 and suitablyactuated by rod 21. The knife 25 is adapted to operate within asubstantially square space 28, Figure 9, formed in the guide I5, itbeing understood that the several edges of the knife will beapproximately parallel to the ad-l jacent edges of said space.Positioned centrally of said space is a backing member 30 suitablysupported from the upper member I6 of the guide in a manner to permityielding movement of the backing member. Said backing member is somewhatsmaller than the knife and by reason of the bent portion 3I the saidknife may travel in an upward direction some distance past said member.Oscillating movement is imparted to the knife 25 periodically byactuation of rod 21 and accordingly it will be understood thatsubstantially square portions are cut out of the paper strip 22.

At the forward end of the guide I5 there is located means 32 forapplying an adhesive such as glue to the undersuriace of each tab 24.Also located to the forward end of the guide is mechanism 33, Figure 2,for severing the continuous tape along a line 34, Figure 17, whichapproximately coincides with the center of the cut out portions in thepaper strip. This structure will now be described.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, the member I1 supports by means ofbrackets 35, a member 36 to the forward end of which is suitably securedthe block 31, forming part of the cutting mechanism indicated in itsentirety by numeral 33. At its rear end the member 36 is provided with acam-shaped slot 38 having pin 39 fitting therein, which is secured tothe upper projecting arm of the bell crank lever 40. The lower arm ofsaid lever is provided with pin 4I adapted to contact the extending end42 of the lever 43 suitably pivoted at 44 to means depending from theguide I5. The forward end 45 of said lever is operatively associatedwith the cutting knife 46 suitably secured to block 31 by means of theface plate 41. The knife 46 is adapted to operate with respect to astationary cutting blade 48.

In operation of the structure above described, it will be assumed that alength of tape 20 has been fed from theforward end of the guide I5. Thisfeeding of the tape forwardly will bring the paper tab 24 into Contactwith roller 50 of the gluing mechanism 32 suitably driven by the driving chain 5I through meshing gear 52. The rod 53 is then suitablyactuated to cause rotation of 75 the bell crank lever 48 which willcause forward movement of member 36 by reason of the pin 39 riding inslot 38. The cutting mechanism is therefore located a short distanceforwardly of the end of the guide I5. As the bell crank-lever 48 nearsthe end of its oscillating movement, the pin 4| will strike the end oflever 43 to cause downward movement of knife 46, which actuation of theknife will sever the continuous tape 28.

As previously explained, the tape will be cut along a line substantialycoinciding with the center of a cut-out portion of the `paper strip.

The mechanism for intermittently feeding the continuous tape to locate alength of the same directly over the bag is shown in Figures 6, '1 and8. Journalled in the depending 'brackets I3 is the shaft 54 havingsuitably xed to one end thereof the arm 55 to the outer end of which ispivotally secured the actuating rod 56. The hub member 51 fixed to shaft54 and locatedbetween the brackets I3 is formed with an integraldepending leg 58 providing at its extreme lower end a gripping finger68. Having reciprocating movement on leg 58 is a sleeve 6| whichlikewise provides a gripping nger 62 and which is actuated in adirection toward and from the lower finger 68 by means of a toggle jointformed by arms 63 and 64, the latter being pivotally secured to leg 58at 65.- To the upper freeend of arms 64 is pivotally secured link-, 66which joins said arms of the toggle to spool 61provided wthgroove 68.Saidspool is slidably mounted on shaft 54, being yieldingly forced in adirection toward the left by the coil spring 18 located on the shaft andpositioned between hub 51 and said spool. Actuation of the spool in adirection toward-the right, which will straighten the toggle and forcefinger 62 toward finger 68, is effected by the yoke 1| pivoted at 'I2and having its bifurcated lower end operatively associated withthe spool61 by means of groove 68. Oscillating movement is imparted to the togglewhich forces the upper fingerl62 in a direction downwardly, thusgripping the said projecting end of the tape. oscillated in a directiontoward the left, Figure 1, to thereby cause feeding of the tape and thelocating of a length of said tape directly over the bag 15. Inaccordance with the invention'the leading end of the continuous tape ispositioned by the gripping fingers a short distance beyond the side ofthe bag, which centrally locates the paper tab 24 with respect to thetop of the bag.'

The next operation, which occurs substantially simultaneously with thefeeding of the continuous tape, is performed` by mechanism shown inFigures `5, 10, 11 and' 12. The brackets I2, dependingfrom the memberI8, suitably journal at their lower ends the shaft 18,@to the outerprojecting ends of which are suitably fixed depending arms 88. Theprojecting end 8| of shaft 1 8 is reduced in diameter and slidablymounts the double spool 82 having grooves 83 and 84 formed therein. Thedepending arms 88 journal at their lower endthe member 85 having an'oiIset portion The fingers are then 86 located between the dependingarms 88 and which portion provides the gripping member 81. Extendingthrough the journalling ends of member 85 and projecting from the endsthereof, Figure 12,- is a shaft 88 adapted to have axial movement andforme'd with spaced slots 89. The offset portion 86 of member 85 is alsoprovided with a slot within which is pivotally supported for oscillatingmovement the pawl 98T The respective ends of the portion 86 areV formedwith upstanding journalling means 9| supporting therebetween. the pivotrod 92 which pivotally supports member 93 having an arcuate shapecentrally thereof and the depending lower end of which forms a grippingmember 94. Movement of gripping member 94 toward and from member 81 iseffected by the pawl 98, one end of which, as described, has connectionwith Shaft 88 and the other end of which engages plate 95. The pins 96xed to said plate pass throughportion 86, through slots 89, in shaft 88andare xedly secured at their opposite end to the arcuate por# tion ofmember 83, as shown in Figure 12. The coilsprings 91, carried by thepins 96 and which are located between member 93 and shaft 88, serve toyieldingly bias the member in a direction outwardly, thus spacinggripping member 94 from member 81.

However, the gripping members are caused to close so as to grip theupstanding portion 16 of the bag, Figure 3, by axial movement of shaft88 in a direction toward the left, Figure 12. This movement is caused byactuation of lever |88 pivoted at |8| and having operative connection atits lower end with s rool |82 xed to the end of shaft 88. The upper endof lever |88 is associated with spool 82, by means of slot 84 formedtherein, and upon movement inwardly of said spool, which movement iscaused by actuation of lever |83, the shaft 88 will be caused to travelin a direction toward the left. This will rotate the pawl- 98 in theproper direction to cam plate 95,

yforcing the plate outwardly and thereby causing movement of grippingmember 94 inwardly toward member 81. Lever |83 is xed to shaft I 84journalled in bearing I4, Figure 1, as is also lever |85 to which issecured the actuating rod |86.

After the upstanding folded portion 16 of the bag has been gripped bymembers 81 and 94 said members are oscillated and simultaneously bodilyrotated so as to locate the folded portion in a substantially horizontalposition and adjacent the tin-tie strip. As shown in Figure l0, the endof Vmember 85 opposite spool |82 has suitably secured thereto lever |88,carrying the roller |89. The coil spring ||8,con1ined between said leverand the depending arm 88, yieldingly biases the' member 85 in adirection whereby the gripping member 81 will be depending verticallydownward. Yieldingly forcing the member 85'in this direction will causethe roller |89 to contact the stationary bar I||, Figure 3, which actsas a stop to control the rotary movement of member 85. However, theentire assembly hasA oscillation in a counter-clockwise direction,Figure 5, after the gripping membersl engage the up.

standing folded portion of the bag. This oscillating movement isaccomplished by means of a lever II2, Figure 10, suitably actuated bythe rod II3, said lever having connection to an arm 88 whereby it willbe understood that the assembly toward the stationary anvil II4, Figure11. Said 7.5

anvil provides a flat surface I5 extending for the width of the bag anda shoulder ||6 adapted to have contact with the metal strip 2| of thecontinuous tape to thus hold the tape properly aligned with respect tothe anvil. As a result of the counter-clockwise oscillating movement ofthe assembly comprising the gripping members, the same is swung towardsaid anvil and simultaneously said gripping members are rotated. Thisrotation takes place against the tension of the coil spring ||0 andresults by reason of the fact that roller |09 is in contact with stopFollowing the labove operation on the folded portion of the bag thecontinuous tape is cut by the knife blades 46 and 48 along line 34, thecutting mechanism immediately receding following the cutting operationand thereby leaving a portion of the tape projecting beyond the same andwhich will be readily gripped by the gripping fingers 60 and 62 at thestart of the next operation of the machine. It will also be understoodthat cutting of the tab along line 34 will leave the rear end projectingbeyond the side of the bag which together with the forward projectingend of the tin-tie will form the fastening means for releasably securingthe folded portion to the top of the bag. As shown in Figures 5 and 13,the gripping members 81 and 94 hold the folded portion in a positionhorizontal and adjacent the tin-tie strip which is held in contact withthe anvil H4. More particularly it will be observed that member 81 islocated between the tin-tie strip and the folded portion of the bag.

The projecting ends of the tin-tie strip are bent into a fasteningposition by fingers |20, each having pivotally secured thereto a link|2| having a pivotal connection at |22 to the anvil H4. Pivotallysecured to the upper end of each finger |20 is a lever |23 suitablyfixed to shafts |04 journalled in bearings |4. Also fixed to each shaft|04 is an arm |24 having pivotal connection with the operating rod |25which is actuated in synchronism with the other operations of themachine to oscillate levers |23 which will cause said lingers |20 totravel downwardly from the position shown in Figure 1 to the positionshown in Figure 13, whereby the projecting ends of the tin-tie stripwill be bent around the ends of the folded portion 16 and under theadjacent top side of the bag. In order to allow the bent projecting endsof the tin-tie strip to contact the underside of the topof the bag itwill be observed, Figure 13, that the gripping member 94 has a widthless than its companion member 81. The bending operation on theprojecting ends of the tin-tie strip takes place while the foldedportion of the bag is held in horizontal position by the grippingfingers 81 and 94. The next operation of the mechanism withdraws saidgripping fingers by oscillating the entire gripping assembly in aclockwise direction, which is effected by upward travel of the lever l2,actuated by rod ||3. Although the assembly is given oscillating movementthe gripping iingers-maintain a horizontal position while beingwithdrawn. This is permitted since member is free to rotate in eitherdirection, however, being biased by the coil spring ||0 so that thegripping finger 81 will depend vertically. When the gripping fingershave been withdrawn to the extent where they leave the folded portion ofthe bag the operating rods |25 are again actuated to cause the fingers|20 to pinch the bent ends of the strip, securely fastening the foldedportion to the top of the bag.

The last operation in the closing and fastening of the bag is to causethe paper tab 24 to adhere to the top of the bag. As previouslyexplained, an adhesive is applied to the underside of said tab duringthe feeding of the tape to locate a length of said tape over the bag.The structure above described has been designed so that the paper tapewill be centrally positioned with respect to the bag and since anadhesive has been previously applied thereto, it is only necessary thatsaid tape be forced into contact with the top of the bag. This isaccomplished by the member |28, Figure 16, having a rounded portion |29at the lower end thereof. rlhe upper end of said member is suitablyfixed to rod |30, pivotally supported by shaft |3l, journalled inbracket |32. The coil spring |33, conned between rod |30 and one arm ofsaid bracket yieldingly biases said member |28 in a direction inwardly,Figure 3, where said member will engage a stop, locating the same in avertical position. Bracket |32 is provided with an upright portion |34having formed therein an elongated slot |35. The support |36 is suitablysecured to the underside of member' l0 and it will therefore be seenthat the bracket and member pivotally supported therefrom are mountedfor vertical reciprocating movement, which is imparted thereto byactuation vof lever |31.

While the folded portion of the bag is still held by fingers |20 thelever |31 is caused to move downwardly and accordingly similar movementwill be given to the member |28. The rounded portion |29 of said memberwill be caused to contact and travel over the .paper tab |24, it beingunderstood that continued downward movement of member 28 will cause thesame to travel outwardly, which travel is permitted by reason of thepivotal support of said member. The effect of this travel of the end |29of the member over the paper tape is to roll said tape into contact withthe top of the bag, which adhesively secures the tin-tie strip' to thebag.

'I'he fingers |20 are then retracted through actuation of the rods |25and the bag is released, whereby the same will slide downwardly on theupright |26, Figure 5, and will again assume an upright position.

The gripping members in bending the upstanding folded portion of the baginto a substantially horizontal position simultaneously locate the7 saidfolded portion adjacent to the tin-tie strip and also lift thenag andincline the same from the vertical. The upstanding portion of the bag isbent substantially and the fiat surface thereof is located in a planesubstantially parallel with the flat side of the tin-tie strip. Thelifting of the bag by the present apparatus, and wherein the bag istilted with respect to the vertical, is responsible for a number ofdesirable features which are peculiar to the present method. In the rstplace, the bag is suspended by the gripping members 01 and 94 whichengage and bend the folded portion sothat the weight of the bag providesadequate clearance under the top sides of the bag for the nngers |20which bend the ends of the tin-tie strip around said Ifolded portion andunder one top side of the bag.

|20 to readily bend the ends of the tin-tie tape under said top side oftheV bag, whereby vthe bent folded portion is releasably fastened to thetop of the bag.

The following operations arev performed While the bag is thus held bythe gripping members. For example, the ends of the tin-tie strip arebent downwardly and inwardly around the ends of the folded portion andunder the top of the bag, thereby releasably securing said foldedportion of the bag and'further, the paper tab is adhesively secured tothe top of the bag, this latter operation only requiring travel ofmember 28 over the paper tab to force the same into contact with the bagsince adhesive such as glue or the like was applied to the undersurfaceof said tab during the feeding movement of the said continuous tape.

The invention is not tobe limited to or by details of construction ofthe particular embodiment thereof illustrated by the drawings, as svarious other forms of the device will of course be apparent to thoseskilled in thel art without departing from the spirit of the inventionor the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of releasably fastening the upright folded portion of afilled bag which comprises the steps of locating a tin-tie strip abovesaid folded portion in a manner leaving projecting ends on'each side ofthe bag, bending 'the upright folded portion of the bag into a positionapproximately horizontal and moving the same adjacent to andsubstantially into contact with the tin-tie strip, the said bending andmoving of the folded portion simultaneously tilting the bag into aposition inclined from the vertical, whereby one side of the top of thebag is alsoapproximately horizontal and disposed adjacent the said bentportion, bending said projecting ends of the strip around the ends ofthe folded portion lof the bag and under the said top side to releasablysecure the folded portion to the top of the bag, and then adhesivelysecuring` the tin-tie strip to the top of the bag to thereby retain thestrip to the bagl independently of the bent fastening'means.

2. `The method of releasably fastening the upright folded portion of afilled bag which comprises the steps of feeding a tin-tie strip tolocate a length thereof above the bag, bending said upright foldedportion into a position substantially horizontal and simultaneouslymoving said portion adjacent to and substantially into contact With thetin-tie strip, and then bending the projecting ends of the strip aroundthe ends ofthe folded portion and under the top of the bag to releasablysecure the folded portion to the top of the bag.

3. -The method of releasably fastening the upright folded poiion of afilled bag which comprises the steps feeding a tin-tie strip to locate alength thereo above the bag, while leaving projecting ends on each sideof the bag, bending said upright folded portion into a positionsubstantially horizontal and simultaneously moving said portion adjacentto and substantially into contact with the strip, bending the'lprojecting ends of the strip around the ends of the folded portion andunder the top of the bag to releasably secure the folded portion to thetop of the bag, and then adhesively securing the tin-tie strip to thetop of the bag to thereby retain the strip tothe bag independently ofthe bent fastening 4. The method of releasably fastening the u p,

Kright folded portion of a filled bag, which comprises the steps offeeding a continuous tin-tie strip to locate a length thereof' above thebagv ously tilting the bag into a position inclined from the vertical,whereby one side of the top of the bag is also approximately horizontaland dis- `posed adjacent the said bent portion, severing said continuousstrip to leave a rearwardly extending end', bending the projecting endsof the strip around the ends of the folded portion `and under said topside of the bag to releasably secure the folded portion to said top sideof the bag, and then adhesively securing the tin-tie strip to the top ofthe bag to thereby retain the strip to the bag independently of the bentfastening means.

5. The method of releasably fastening the uppenfolded portion of afilled bag by means of a tin-tie strip which comprises, intermittently'the same above the bag, gripping the folded portion of the bag andbending said portion into a position adjacent the vforwarclend of saidtape and parallel to the flat surface thereof, the said bending of thefolded portion and the locating of the same adjacent thetape in parallelto the flat surface thereof simultaneously tilting the bag into aposition inclined from the vertical, whereby one side of the top of thebag is also approximately horizontal and disposed adjacent said bentportion, severing said tape to form said forward end into anind1vidualtin-tie strip having the respective ends thereof projectingbeyond the bag, bending said ends of the strip around the folded portionand under said top side of the bag to releasably fasten the foldedportion to the bag, and adhesively securing said strip to the bag toretai'n said' strip thereto independently of the bent fastening means.

6. In a machine of the character described adapted to operate on filledbags having an upstanding folded portion, the combination with meanssupplying tin-tie tape in a continuous length, feeding means locatingthe forward .end

of said tap above said bag, means having operation to grip said foldedportion and bend the same into a horizontal position whilesimultaneously locating the portion adjacent the forward end of lsaidtin-tie tape and parallel thereto, cutting means having operation tosever said tape forming said forward end into an individual tinf tiestrip, and bending means for bending the respective ends of the striparound the folded portion and under the top of the bag to releasablyfasten the folded portion to the top of the bag.

7. In a machine of the character described `adapted toioperate on filledbags having an upstanding folded portion, the combination with `meanssupplying tin-tie tape in a continuous length, guide means for saidtape, feeding means at the forward end of said guide means for inter-"mittently feeding said tape to locate the forward feeding tin-tie tapeto locate the forwardend of l tin-tie strip, and bending means forbending the respective ends of the strip around the folded portion andunder the top of the bag to releasably fasten the folded portion to thetop of the bag. 8. In a machine of the character described adapted tooperate on filled bags having an upstanding folded portion,.thecombination with means supplying tin-tie tape in a continuous length,said tape having a strip of paper secured thereto, means for cutting outportions of said paper strip to form paper talos, feeding means for thecontinuous tape for locating the forward end thereof over the bag, meanshaving operation to grip said folded portion and bend the` same into ahorizontal position while simultaneously locating the portion adjacentthe forward end of said tin-tie tape, cutting means for severing thetape forming the forward end into an individual tin-tie strip having apaper tab, means bending the respective ends of the strip to releasablyfasten the folded portion to the top of the bag, and other means foradhesively securing the paper tab to the bag whereby said tintie stripis retained to the bag independently of the bent fastening means. i

9. In a machine of the character described adapted to operate on filledbags having an upstanding folded portion, the combination with meanssupplying tin-tie tape in a continuous length, said tape having a stripof paper secured thereto, guide means for said tape, said guide meanshaving a cutting knife associated therewith for cutting out portions ofsaid paper strip to form paper tabs, oscillating feeding means forlocating the forward end of the tape over the bag, means operating togrip the folded portion of the bag to locate the same adjacent theforward end of said tape, whereby said portion will be horizontallydisposed and parallel with the tape, cutting means for Vsevering thetape forming the forward end into an individual tin-tie strip having apaper tab, means bending the respective ends of y the strip toreleasably fasten the folded portion to the top of the bag, and othermeans for adhesively securing the paper -tab to the bag. 10. In amachine of the character described adapted to releasably fasten theupstanding folded portion of a filled bag by means of a tin-tie strip,of means feeding said tin-.tie strip from a continuous supply to locatea portion thereof over the bag, means for gripping the upstanding foldedportion of a bag and having oscillating movement and rotary motionsimultaneously therewith to bend said portion into a horizontal positionand locate the same adjacent the fed portion of the tin-tie strip, meanssevering said portion from said continuous supply to form an individualtin-tie strip, and other means for bending the ends of said strip toreleasably fasten the folded portion to the bag.

11. In a machine of the character described adapted to releasably fastenthe upstanding folded portion of a filled bag by means of a tin-tiestrip, the combination with means locating a tintie strip over the bagwith the ends of said strip extending beyond the sides of the bag, ofmeans for gripping the folded portion of the bag and having operation tobend said portion into a horizontal position adjacent to and parallelwith the tin-tie strip, said means being mounted for oscillatingmovement and capable of rotary motion during said oscillating movement,and other means for bending the ends ofA said strip around the ends ofthe folded portion or the bas and under the top of the bag to releasablyfasten said folded portion to the top of the bag..

12. In a machine of the character describedl adapted to releasablyfasten the upstanding folded portion of a filled bag by means of atin-tie strip, the combination with means locating a tintie strip oversaid bag with the ends thereof extending beyondv the sides of the bag,of means having operation to grip said upstanding folded portion of thebag, said means comprising gripping members adapted to have oscillatingmovement and rotary motion simultaneously therewith when moved in onedirection, actuating means therefor whereby said gripping members bendsaid folded portion into a horizontal position and simultaneously locatethe same adjacent the tin-tie strip, and other means for bending theends of said tin-tie strip around the ends of said folded portion andunder the top of the bag to releasably fasten said portion to the top ofthe bag.

13. In a machine of the character described adapted to releasably fastenthe upstanding folded portion of a filled bag by means of a tin-tiestrip, in combination, means for gripping the folded portion of the bagand having operation to bend said portion into a horizontal positionadjacent to and parallel with a tin-tie strip, the said bending of thefolded portion simultaneously tilting the bag into a position inclinedfrom the vertical, whereby one side of the top of the bag is alsoapproximately horizontal and disposed adjacent the said bent portion andother means for bending the ends of the tin-tie strip around the ends ofthe folded portion of the bag and under the said top side to releasablyfasten the folded portion-to the top of the bag.

14. In a machine of the character described adapted to releasably fastenthe upstanding folded portion of a filled bag by means of a tin-tiestrip, in combination, means for gripping the folded portion of the bag,said means having oscillating movement and also having rotary motionwhen oscillated in one direction to bend said folded portionsubstantially 90 and to simultaneously locate the portion adjacent atin-tie strip, and fingers having operation to bend the ends of thetin-tie strip around the ends of the folded portion of the bag toreleasably fasten the folded portion to the bag, said fingers havingbodily movement in a substantially vertical plane and also havingrotation simultaneously therewith.

15. In a machine of the character described adapted to releasably fastenthe upstanding folded portion of-a filled bag by means of a tin-tiestrip, in combination, gripping members for gripping the folded' portionof the bag, oscillating means supporting said gripping members inamanner permitting rotation thereof, stop means for causing rotation ofthe members when said means is oscillated in one direction, whereby thefolded portion of the bag may be bent and simultaneously locatedadjacent the tin-tie strip, and means for bending the ends of thetin-tie strip around the ends of the folded portion of the bag whilesaid folded portion is held in said bent posimcvement, said meansrotatably mounting said gripping members at the lower end thereof, stopmeans for causing rotation of the members upon oscillating movement ofsaid supporting means in one direction, whereby the folded portion ofthe bag may be bent and simultaneously located adjacent a tin-tie strip,and means having operation to bend' the ends of the tin-tie strip aroundthe ends of the folded portion of the bag while said folded portion isheld in said bent position adjacent the tin-tie strip.

17. In a bag closing and fastening machine, in combination, means havingoperation to locate -a tin-tie strip over the bag, said strip having apaper tab centrally secured thereto and having its respective endsprojecting beyond the sides of the bag, means for gripping the foldedportion of a bag and having operation to bend said portion .andsimultaneously locate the same adjacent said tin-tie strip and in aplane substantially parallel with said strip, fingers for bending theends of the strip around the ends of the folded portion of the bag toreleasably fasten said folded portion, and means for adhesively securingsaid paper tab to the top of the bag.

18. In a bag fastening and closing machine adapted to fasten a baghaving an upstanding portion by means of a tin-tie strip, incombination, means adaptd"to grip the folded portion of the bag and bendthe same to locate said folded portion into substantially flat contactwith one side of the top of the bag and to also provide clearance underthe top edges of the bag, said gripping means having translating andalso having rotating motion simultaneously therewith, and means forbending the projecting ends of the tin-tie strip around the ends of thefolded portion and under the top edges of the bag to releasably fastensaid folded portion to the top of the bag, said bending means havingtranslating motion and also having rotary motion simultaneouslytherewith.

19. Ina bag fastening and closing machine adapted to fasten a bag havingan upstanding portion by means of a tin-tie strip, in combination, meansadapted to grip the folded portion of the bag and bend the same tolocate said folded v portion into substantially flat contact with oneside bf the top of the bag and to also provide clearance under the topedges Iof the bag, the said bending of the folded portion simultaneouslytilting the bag into a position inclined from the vertical, and meansfor bending the projecting ends of the tin-tie strip around the ends ofthe folded portion and under the top edges of the. bag to releasablyfasten the folded portion to the top of the bag.

20. In a bag fastening and closing machine adapted to fasten a baghaving an upstanding portion by means of a tin-tie strip, incombination, means adapted to grip the folded portion of the bag andbend the same to locate said folded portion into substantially flatcontact with one side of the top of the bag and to also provideclearance under the top edges of the bag, said gripping means havingtranslating and also having rotating motion simultaneously therewith,the said bending of the folded portion simultaneously tilting the baginto a position inclined from the vertical, and means for bending theprojecting ends of the tin-tie strip around the ends of the foldedportion and under the top edges of the bag to releasably fasten thefolded portion to the top of the bag, said bending means comprisingfingers having translating motion and also having rotary motionsimultaneously therewith.

21. In a bag fastening and closing machine adapted to releasably fastenthe folded portion of a bag by means ofatin-tie strip, the combinationwith means supplying tin-tie tape in a continuous length, of oscillatingmeans carrying gripping fingers at the lower end thereof, means forimparting oscillating movement to said oscillating means andsimultaneously actuating said gripping fingers to cause said fingers togrip the end of said tin-tie tape and locate a length thereof over saidbag, and means for severing said tintie tape to form the length locatedover the bag into an individual tin-tie strip.

22. In a bag fastening and closing machine, adapted to releasably fastenthe folded portion of a bag by means of a tin-tie strip, in combination,means supplying tin-tie tape in a continuous length, including guidingmeans for said tape, oscillating means carrying gripping fingers at thelower end thereof, means for imparting oscillating movement to saidoscillating means and simultaneously actuating said gripping fingers tocause said fingers to grip the end of said tin-tie tape and locate alength thereof over said bag, and severing means located at the forwardend of said guiding means for severing said tin-tie tape to form thelength located over the bag into anl individual tin-tie tape.

23. In a bag fastening and closing machine, adapted to releasably fastenthe folded portion of a bag by means of a tin-tie strip, in combination,means supplying tin-tie tape in a continuous length, including guidingmeans for said tape, oscillating means carrying gripping ngers at thelower end thereof, means for imparting oscillating movement to saidoscillating means and simultaneously actuating said gripping fingers to-cause said fingers to grip the end of saidA tin-tie tape and locate alength thereof over said bag, and severing means located at`\the forwardend of the guiding means for severing said tin-tie tape to form thelength located over the bag into an individual tin-tie strip, saidsevering means having operation to sever the continuous tape at adistance forwardly of the end of the guiding means.

24. In a bag fastening and closing machine adapted to releasably fastenthe folded portion of a bag by means of a tin-tie strip, in combination,means supplying tin-tie tape having a width of paper secured thereto,oscillating means carrying gripping fingers at the lower end thereof,means for imparting oscillating movement to said means andsimultaneously actuating said gripping iingers to cause said fingers ltogrip the end of the tin-tie tape and locate a length thereof over saidbag, cutting means for cutting out portions of said paper width to form4paper tabs, the said oscillating means locating a length of said tin-tietape over the bag with the paper tab centrally located with respect tothe bag, and means for severing said tin-tie tape to form the lengthlocated over the bag into an individual tin-tie strip.

25. The method of releasably fastening the folded portion of a bag bymeans of a tin-tiey strip which comprises gripping the folded portion ofthe bag and bending the same to locate said folded portion insubstantially flat contact with one side of the top of the bag arid toalso provide clearance under the top edges off the bag, the said bedingof the folded po'rtion simultaneously tilting the bag into a positioninclined from ythe vertical; and bending the projecting ends of the` erthe said top edges of the bag to thereby releasably fasten the foldedportion to the top of the bag.`

26. The method of releasably fastening the upright folded portion of afilled bag, which comprises the steps of feeding a continuous tin-tiestrip to locate a length thereof above the bag with the forward end ofthe strip projecting beyond the bag, bending said upright folded portioninto a horizontal position and simultaneously moving the same adjacentto and substantially into contact with the tin-tie strip, the saidbending and moving of the upright portion adjacent the tin-tie striptilting the bag into a position inclined from the vertical, whereby oneside of the top of the bag is also approximately horizontal and disposedadjacent the said bent portion, severing said continuous strip to leavea rear end projecting beyond the bag, and finally bending the saidprojecting ends of the strip around the ends of the folded portion andunder said top side of the bag to releasably secure the folded portionto the top of the bag.

'27. The method of releasably fastening the upright folded portion of afilled bag, which comprises the steps of feeding a tin-tie strip tolocate a length thereof over the bag but out of alignment therewith,bending said upright folded portion into a position substantiallyhorizontal by moving the same adjacent toand substantially into contactwith the tin-tie strip, whereby said bag is suspended in a tiltedposition so that one side of the top of the bag is also approximatelyhorizontally disposed and located adjacent the said bent portion,bending both projecting ends of the strip around the ends of the foldedportion and under the said top side to releasably secure the foldedportion to the top of the bag.

28. Ina machine of the character described, adapted to releasably fastenthe upright folded portion of a closed bag by means of a tin-tie strip,the combination with means supplying tintie tape in a continuouslength,` guide means therefor, and cutting means for severing said tapeto form individual tin-tie strips, means having operation to bend theupright folded portion of the bag and simultaneously move the sameadjacent to and into substantial contact with the tin-tie tape prior tothe severing of the tape into a tin-tie strip, and other means havingoperation following the severing of the tape to bend the respective endsof the individual strip to releasably fasten the folded portion to thetop of the bag, and a support mounting said cutting means forreciprocating movement in a direction parallel with the length of thetape, said severing operation on the tape occurring after the cuttingmeans has moved in a forward direction.

. 29. In a machine of the character described, adapted to releasablyfasten the upright folded portion of a closed bag by means of a tin-tiestrip, the combination with means supplying tin-tie tape in a continuouslength, guide means therefor, andv cutting means for severing said tapeto form individual tin-tie strips, means having operation to bend theupright folded portion of the bag and simultaneously move the sameadjacent to and into substantial contact with the tin-tie tape prior tothe severing of the tape into a tintie strip, and other means havingoperation following the severing of the tape to bend the respective endsof the individual strip to releasably fasten the folded portion to thetop of the bag, a support mounting said cutting means for reciprocatingmovement in a direction parallel with the length of the tape, and meansfor actuating means supplying tin-tie tape in a continuous length, saidtape having a strip of paper secured thereto, means for cutting outportions of said paper strip to form paper tabs, feeding means for thecontinuous strip to locate the forward end thereof above the` bag, meansfor applying an adhesive to the paper tabs during said feedingoperation, other means gripping the folded portion of the bag andbending the same into a horizontal position by moving the said portionadjacent to and substantially into contact with the forward end of saidtin-tie tape, cutting means for severing the tape forming said forwardend into an individual tin-tie strip having a paper tab, means bendingthe respective ends of the tin-tie strip to releasably fasten the foldedportion to the top of the bag, and a member having operation to pressthe paper tab into contact with the top of the bag to adhesively securethe same to the bag.

GEORGE LONG.

